I can’t be certain of the identity of the author of this partial letter There is a remote possibility that it was written by Lawrence Manning of the 50th New York Engineers. I also can’t be certain of the date or location but believe it to have been written from either Richmond, or across the James river, in Manchester, Virginia, in April 1865. Whoever wrote the letter was involved in laying down a pontoon bridge which I think was necessary after the retreating Confederates burned Mayo’s Bridge over the James.

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One o’clock, Lieutenant has come back and we are going to stay. We are roving up now right in front of the statehouse. We are going to lay a bridge in place of the one that was burned. I have learned that a large part of the city—or a good many squares—have been burned. I wish you could see these U. S. Gunboats that lay here. They are saucy looking things but magnificent.

Thursday evening. we laid our bridge across the stream yesterday. Laid out doors last night but this morning we found a white cottage house that was unoccupied so we have got our quarters here. There are six rooms so we have got a good place—lots of fire places. I have got one room for Lieutenant and found a table and a stool upstairs. The rooms are all plastered and whitewashed so it is very pleasant.

I don’t know whether Lieutenant will stay here all the while or not. At any rate, we shall go back to Broadway [Landing] to get our things so I shall go. I was in a large foundry and machine shop to find some wire and I found two quires of letter paper—nice. I froze to it. It will last me a good while. I have found Prescott the clerk and can send this. Will write you again as soon as I can find out how to have you direct. Much love, your husband, — L. W. Manning